Research AJA Records
Exploring the American Jewish Past
Beginning your Research at the American Jewish Archives
This page offers links to research resources, the AJA's online catalog which gives access to a variety of materials found at the American Jewish Archives, as well as policies and fees.
Researchers who need to conduct extensive research at the AJA may be interested in the AJA's Fellowship Program. Those who are new to archival research may be interested in Using Archives: A Guide to Effective Research by Laura Schmidt and the Society of American Archivists.
If you have any questions, please feel free to Ask an Archivist!
Frequently Asked Questions
The AJA is open to all researchers who may contact the AJA with research questions by mail, telephone, "Ask the Archivist" online form, or they may conduct research onsite in the AJA's Barrows-Loebelson Family Reading Room.
While a small selection of our holdings have been digitized, the majority of the collection is not available online. However, our catalog—the gateway to our vast archival collection—can be accessed online. Digital materials may be found in our online catalog in the "available digital materials tab" of each catalog entry. If you require digital materials that are not available, please contact an archivist.
The online catalog describes the material in our collection. For help on navigating the catalog, please review the guide here. If you cannot find relevant material, please feel free to contact us through our Ask An Archivist form or call us during operating hours to speak to one of our archivists. If you are unable to visit the archives, archivists can perform a limited search for specific topics. We can also recommend local researchers if an extensive search is required. Please contact us through our Ask An Archivist form.
Please see our Duplication Policy and send your request through our Ask An Archivist form. Only microfilm reels may be borrowed via interlibrary loan.
Please see our Publication Policy and send your information through our Ask An Archivist form.
Quick Links for Research
Online Catalog
Use the growing AJA online catalog for researching families, people, papers, and other historical records.
Policies & Fees
Policies and Fees information for the American Jewish Archives.
Finding Aids
Explore the rich list of finding aids created and hosted by the AJA.
Digital Collections
View Dedicated Digital Collections of the American Jewish Archives.
Genealogy
Have a question about research, our catalog, or a specific historical topic?
Fellowship Programs
The Marcus Center administers fifteen endowed fellowships, all funded by generous friends and supporters of the American Jewish Archives.